American States Water Company (AWR)vsTarget Corporation (TGT)
AWR
American States Water Company
$75.84
-0.47%
UTILITIES · Cap: $2.95B
TGT
Target Corporation
$130.19
+1.06%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $58.54B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Target Corporation generates 15822% more annual revenue ($104.78B vs $658.07M). AWR leads profitability with a 19.8% profit margin vs 3.5%. TGT appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.44. AWR earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 56/100 (C).
AWR
Buy56
out of 100
Grade: C
TGT
Hold48
out of 100
Grade: D+
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-3.5%
Fair Value
$68.58
Current Price
$75.84
$7.26 premium
Margin of Safety
+33.2%
Fair Value
$171.51
Current Price
$130.19
$41.32 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 28.8%
Large-cap with strong market position
Every $100 of equity generates 24 in profit
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Generating 2.3B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
Weak financial health signals
Expensive relative to growth rate
Earnings declined 1.2%
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Expensive relative to growth rate
3.5% margin — thin
Operating margin of 4.9%
Revenue declined 1.5%
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : AWR
The strongest argument for AWR centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 19.8% and operating margin at 28.8%. Revenue growth of 14.8% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bull Case : TGT
The strongest argument for TGT centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, P/E Ratio.
Bear Case : AWR
The primary concerns for AWR are Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio, EPS Growth.
Bear Case : TGT
The primary concerns for TGT are PEG Ratio, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Thin 3.5% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
AWR profiles as a mature stock while TGT is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
TGT carries more volatility with a beta of 1.03 — expect wider price swings.
AWR is growing revenue faster at 14.8% — sustainability is the question.
TGT generates stronger free cash flow (2.3B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
AWR scores higher overall (56/100 vs 48/100), backed by strong 19.8% margins and 14.8% revenue growth. TGT offers better value entry with a 33.2% margin of safety. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
American States Water Company
UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED WATER · USA
American States Water Company provides water and electricity services to residential, commercial, industrial and other customers in the United States. The company is headquartered in San Dimas, California.
Visit Website →Target Corporation
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · DISCOUNT STORES · USA
Target Corporation is an American retail corporation. Their retail formats include the discount store Target, the hypermarket SuperTarget, and small-format stores previously named CityTarget and TargetExpress before being consolidated under the Target branding.
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